Switching to five lug disks.

[CG]

If you have a 67-70 and you are going to go from six lugs to five. Drums to disk. Drop spindles and drop springs. Is there any reason putting a later model cross member that already has the five lugs and disks a better idea than modifying what you already have?

I would want to rebuild the entire front end whether using the old or newer cross member.

[lolife99]

No need to change the crossmember.
No need to buy donor parts.
Use 63-70 conversion spindles.
Add 71-87 HD rotors, calipers, and bearings.
71-72 M/C and prop valve or aftermarket equivalent.

[CG]

Im glad you chimed in, this stuff really seems to be right up your alley. I have a 67 and two 69's, I didnt want to have to source a cross member if I didn't have to. I was unsure though if one style was wider than another.

Thanks!

[lolife99]

The disc conversion itself will widen the front track width.
(thats why the 71-72 rearends got wider when they introduced disc brakes in 1971)
Crossmember are the same width.

I always use to use disc brake conversion hoses from ECE also.
But member Ledd Zepp cross referenced those hoses to find out they are just '78 camaro hoses, that can be purchased MUCH cheaper at your local auto parts store.

The only oem part that I would use from a donor crossmember would be the backing plate/dust shields that go behind the rotor. But they can be purchased new also.
Or like some,... that don't run them at all.
DIsc conversion spindles (drop or stock height) can be purchased for around $230.
FInd someone that offers free shipping and you will be set.
I cringe when I hear people buy used, wore out crossmember assemblies for $100-$300.
But then again,... they are probably the ones that install them as is.

[lolife99]

You will also need to bend/fabricate two brake lines to connect to your new disc brake prop valve.
But I use the rest of the drum brake steel lines, as is.

[tommys72]

Good information here! What would be different on a 69 if wanting to use non drop spindles and springs? Is the other stuff the same or does that change things?

Not to hijack CG, seemed like it fit well on this thread .

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by tommys72

Good information here! What would be different on a 69 if wanting to use non drop spindles and springs? Is the other stuff the same or does that change things?

Not to hijack CG, seemed like it fit well on this thread .

The aftermarket makes non-drop spindles that are a direct bolt on for the 63-70 drum brake trucks,... as well as the 60-62 torsion bar trucks.
This is what i am talking about.

If you want to use a oem spindle from the 71-72 or 73-87 trucks,... these require you to change balljoints and tie rods.
All of this is spelled out in my thread at the top of the suspension section.
You open up a whole can of worms switching the steering components that is not required with the direct bolt on conversion spindles.

Not sure if I answered your questions.
Front springs will interchange from 63-87.

[tommys72]

I'll check your thread out Keith, basically just wanting to change a 69 to 5 lug discs and keep it at stock height .